The non-migratory Andean Monarch
In my garden. La Ceja; 2.300 meters above sea level.
Danaus plexippus nigrippus
(Monarch butterfly / Mariposa Monarca)
The Monarch is the most famous migrant in the butterfly world.
The Monarch has established 5 non-migratory subspecies in the neotropical region - "portoricensis" in Puerto Rico; "leucogyne" on the Virgin Islands; "megalippe" in Cuba, the Bahamas and the Caymans; "tobagi" on Tobago, and "nigrippus" in the Andes.
The Andean subspecies nigrippus differs from the migratory subspecies plexippus in several ways. In nigrippus the ground colour is a darker and duller brown; the upper half of the fw cell is black; the diagonal band of sub-apical spots are white instead of pale brown; and the black lines along the veins are heavier. The forewing shape in nigrippus also tends to be less elongated.
Danaus plexippus nigrippus is found on both sides of the Andes from Colombia to central Peru.
www.learnaboutbutterflies.com/Andes%20-%20Danaus%20plexip...
The non-migratory Andean Monarch
In my garden. La Ceja; 2.300 meters above sea level.
Danaus plexippus nigrippus
(Monarch butterfly / Mariposa Monarca)
The Monarch is the most famous migrant in the butterfly world.
The Monarch has established 5 non-migratory subspecies in the neotropical region - "portoricensis" in Puerto Rico; "leucogyne" on the Virgin Islands; "megalippe" in Cuba, the Bahamas and the Caymans; "tobagi" on Tobago, and "nigrippus" in the Andes.
The Andean subspecies nigrippus differs from the migratory subspecies plexippus in several ways. In nigrippus the ground colour is a darker and duller brown; the upper half of the fw cell is black; the diagonal band of sub-apical spots are white instead of pale brown; and the black lines along the veins are heavier. The forewing shape in nigrippus also tends to be less elongated.
Danaus plexippus nigrippus is found on both sides of the Andes from Colombia to central Peru.
www.learnaboutbutterflies.com/Andes%20-%20Danaus%20plexip...